Ukrainian Drones Strike Rare Russian Be-12 Amphibious Aircraft In Occupied Crimea

In a coordinated night raid on February 21, 2026, Ukrainian strike drones targeted two Be-12 “Mail” anti-submarine amphibious aircraft at the Yevpatoriia Aviation Repair Plant in temporarily occupied Crimea.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the strike, releasing imagery that shows the aircraft being hit while stationed on the plant’s grounds.

The Be-12 is a specialized Soviet-era aircraft used by Russia’s Black Sea Fleet primarily for hunting Ukrainian maritime drones and conducting search-and-rescue operations.

Because these planes have not been in production since the 1970s, the Russian military relies on a dwindling fleet of fewer than 20 active units, often “cannibalizing” older airframes for spare parts.

According to military analysts, the targeted aircraft were likely undergoing maintenance or repairs at the Yevpatoriia facility.

In the same operational report, the General Staff confirmed that Ukrainian forces also struck two elite Project 22460 “Okhotnik” class patrol ships in Sevastopol. The drones successfully penetrated the heavily guarded harbor, targeting the vessels at Pier No. 52 in Inkerman Bay.

These 630-ton modern ships are operated by the Russian FSB Coast Guard for long-range patrolling and coastal defense. With only 14 such vessels in service across all regions, the successful strike on two units represents a major blow to Russia’s maritime security in the Black Sea.

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War in Ukraine

Ukraine Destroys Two Rare Russian Be-12 Chaika Amphibious Aircraft in a Historic First. What Is This Soviet Relic?

Sep 22, 2025 10:50

Earlier on September 21, 2025, the “Prymary” special unit of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence achieved a historic first by destroying two Be-12 “Chaika” amphibious aircraft and a Mi-8 helicopter in occupied Crimea.

This marked the first time these 60-year-old Soviet relics—originally designed for anti-submarine warfare—were neutralized in combat.

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